Lakeland students create a banned book club

LAKELAND, Fla. — There are more than 700 books that are banned in public schools in Florida. It might not sound like a lot, but for two students in Polk County, the list has sparked a desire to learn why.

So much so that they created a “banned book club.”

With every turn of a page, Matthew is diving into the pages of a book. “I really wanted to choose this book because I thought it was something everybody could relate to,” he said.

He and Charlotte, who asked that their last names not be shared, are the founders of the club.

They say it started with curiosity and a Facebook post to see if there was any interest. For Matthew, it’s about expanding his love for reading.

“One of the points of starting this book club in general was to learn more about these books and the content of them and even their authors and stuff and how it impacts us,” he said.

The first meeting was comprised of only four people.

But Charlotte says it led to a good conversation about the state of banned books. “We talked about our opinions on banned books and kind of what we think what it means to have a book banned,” she said.

The book they’re starting with is “The Perks of Being a Wallflower.” It’s one of the more than 700 books currently removed or discontinued by the Florida Department of Education. The latest list was released for the 2023 to 2024 school year.

Charlotte says the club gives students like herself the freedom to learn about topics she might not otherwise learn.

“Banned doesn’t mean we can’t access it, it just means we can’t read it in school, and it’s not free,” she said.

Matthew is hoping this creates a space where the younger generation can feel motivated to learn more about and connect with the pages in each book.

“I’ve gotten so many perspectives and the books that I have read so far are so important,” he said. “So when I heard there were books I couldn’t read, I was intrigued.”

They’re cracking open the books their schools have closed to them so that they light a fire in others to read.

You can view the club’s page on Instagram.